Debates are intended to help you form opinions about topics that have no clear "yes" or "no" answer. For example, you can't exactly debate if a woman or man gives birth. If this is true, our perspective of the world should be constantly changing and maturing.

So, just out of curiosity. How many of you have changed or matured your opinions of a subject as a direct result of a debate? Give examples if you want. It does not have to be an online debate, as we all know the internets is made up of nothing but noobs and trolls.

As for me, I wouldn't say a debate I've been directly involved with has changed my opinion. I say this is because I have never been very challenged when I debate. HOwever, when I observe debates, it does lead me to research ideas more fully. And although my opinion does not change, my view of the topic expands.

I can't think of any specific examples where a debate has changed my opinions, but I really enjoy debating against what I believe I guess the closest you can say is that when I debated that Peter the Great was not a good monarch and really came to respect him more for it.

After a debate with my best friend I stopped giving any money to the poor. That was a long time ago; my opinion has changed since then, of course.

No one has bested me in a debate, so I never change!

But really, I've never had a real debate with someone. No one has really brought up any really good points to challenge my ideals, but I don't go shouting them, so it's understandable.

Well since I'm usually all hot and sweaty after a debate, I like to take a shower and change. So yeah I guess so.

>.> I actually thought that was what he meant when I saw the title.

Anyway i don't change my view after a debate unless it's something minor that I've never thought about before.

Rarely, but it happens. I like to think it happens only when I'm wrong (and thus rarely), but that might just be arrogance. It mostly happens with Vrael, and though I don't usually reverse my point of view, he changes things.

I don't think it changes my opinions. It seems like in a debate the arguments are far too biased, so they don't sound real... I doubt everyone is 100% pro, or 100% con.

Fix'd

I say "Fuck you Im not changing my mind." cause im a stubborn bastard.

Yes but only if someone uses logic and reason. (which has only happened once so technically no)

Maybe because, your logic and reason's standard is either too high (which I do not believe), or other than that- stupidity. Egotistical belief of one's self only leads to self-idiocy and double-standarding one's self (if that is even a word.).

If it ever convinces me, it's shockingly convincing (because I cannot deny I am stubborn, and with some topics, particularly ignorant).

There are not varying degrees of logic. An argument is either logical or illogical. No in between.

Aw. Beat me to it.
I far too often see people incorrectly using the word "logic" or "reason" in place of "something that makes sense to my intuition". I'm not one to assume, but you sound like this kind of person.

Generally, my opinions do not reverse. However, when in or watching debates online, my opinions are usually shifted some small amount.
Very few people I've debated against in person, however, have given me much to think about regarding my particular position on the topic discussed, though I usually end up with food for thought aplenty regarding the person I argue against themself.

Post has been edited 2 time(s), last time on Sep 3 2009, 5:27 pm by EzDay281.

Around the age 12-13, (I'm 15/almost 16 now) I started running in to some more intelligent people and back then and they would normally change my views on a lot of things or at least give me the ability to think more in depth and decide my opinions myself. I really appreciate everything anyone has taught me when it comes to ways of thinking, reason, logic, etc...

I usually only make a point to debate something if I know I'm right. So no, I don't often change.

That is me >.<

I lol'd. Do you believe me to be a fanatic of some sort now?

There are however, varying degrees of standards. If Bob and Joe are arguing about subject C, Bob might assert something
like "Well, A is true, so B must be true also" which could be entirely reasonable, and Joe accepts this because he thinks A is true.
If Mary and Susan are arguing the same thing about C, Mary might say the same "Well, A is true so B must be true also"
Susan however, does not agree that A is reasonable because her standards of validation are different than Joe's. This type of logic can play a large part in your everyday argument, even if it isn't technically correct logic. Basically, arguing for/against Descartes' "I think therefore I am" is a lot different than arguing for/against universal health care in the U.S.

Nevertheless, there is something to be said for those who are usually right. I agree that its completely nonsensical to be unmovable in an argument when there are valid arguments presented against your view, but a certain tenacity towards ones own point of view is certainly beneficial to the process of living in many ways, so long as it doesn't blind the person completely.

As for myself? I voted for John McCain in the 08 election, but I have recently come to the opinion that I'm glad Obama won instead. It wasn't the result of a debate or anything, but I hope it shows that I am not such a fool as to hold out against what I truly think.

Watching atheists rape Christians in debates on the existence of god had a definite impact on my world view.

Interesting.. I would find it extremely difficult to prove the nonexistence of God.